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Questions about leaving at the start of 2nd year [Severe Depression]

I've been suffering from depression for the past few years. Due to stress etc. it has become worse during my first year of Law school, and I'm seriously considering leaving to take some time off. My only problem is that I'm not able to work if I take time off and my parents are totally unsympathetic. Despite my problems, my goal is to complete a MA and potentially a PhD after my undergrad degree and pursue a career in research or academia. Has anyone ever taken time off at this point and returned to their degree successfully? If I quit now will this likely be the end of my road?

Reply 1

Panda-Explosion

Hey - sorry to hear about the difficulties you're having!

It'll depend on your faculty but my experience was this: I suffered from severe depression towards the end of 1st year, to the point where I absolutely bombed contract law. I deferred the rest of my exams to be taken after the summer. The law faculty was very good to me in that they said I could absolutely take a year off and start second year a year later. Make sure that the faculty knows what you're going through - you aren't the first person to have had these issues to take comfort in the fact that they will know how to help you :smile:

Sorry to hear about your parents - that's difficult. Perhaps if you could get your doctor to speak to them?

Everyone needs to do things at their own pace - it's worth considering what you need to do to be happy. It is NOT worth putting yourself through something you are not ready for and burning out. I very nearly did that, myself. I wish you the best of luck and just know that it is absolutely not the end of the road!

Reply 2

yastyb

If you think you've been suffering from depression you MUST go see a psychologist and as soon as possible. Many people, including me, would be very glad to help you with this question. I however cannot see how we are to answer this question without being a qualified psychologist having done a proper examination of the circumstances surrounding your life. It isn't shameful to go see a specialist of the mind, on the contrary. To shallowly answer your question, I think, as the person mentioned above, that you should inform your department of law of this and ask for a deferral. It is certainly not the end of your studies, but I suggest that before you embark onto the study of law you must first deal with your personal problems and free yourself of any encumbrances which could later become an obstacle and which might become, with time, growingly difficult to overcome.

Good Luck Man and truly wish you the best, you'll surely make it!!